2013 Fares

[ozbob]

What has really been not realised by the fare path strategy and its modelling was the short relative period that has sustained the increases and the effects of this.

When you think about it in 3 year period Jan 2010 - Jan 2013 fares jumped actual 70% go, 100% paper.  It is little wonder that there has been pax resistance  ...

Average earnings increased around 6% period Feb 2010 - May 2012 (lastest published data) Table 12c http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6302.0May%202012?OpenDocument

In August 2008, go card fares were discounted against paper, this was the carrot to get users to switch, and from there away it went with the 2010 increases.

The implementation of the fare table has been careless and inconsistent, the discrepancy between zones, zonal confusion at some locations, goes to show this.

All in all a poorly grounded fare strategy.  Now seriously compromised of course because of the free travel after x journeys, fare increase of 7.5% not 15%,  obviously not part of the original fare path strategy.

The main aim of the strategy of lifting the fare box to 30% has failed.  Going towards 20% rather than 30%.

This means that a review is even more urgent.

[ozbob]

A bit of history ...
http://lnp.org.au/news/transport/labors-fare-hike-hits-commuters

2nd January 2012

Labor's fare hike hits commuters

Labor's fare hike hits commuters
Written by  Scott Emerson

South-East Queensland commuters' New Year celebrations were dampened today as the Bligh government hiked public transport fares by 15 per cent to be among the most expensive worldwide.

Shadow Minister for Transport Scott Emerson said commuters preparing to return to work tomorrow will face massive hikes in train, bus and ferry fares.

"Brisbane is now the third most expensive city in the world for public transport. Only London and Oslo is dearer," Mr Emerson said.

"No wonder people are turning away from public transport – with trips on buses and ferries plummeting by 700,000 from July to November last year.

"Mismanagement, waste and blunders by this tired, inept 20 year Labor government are driving passengers away from public transport, and today's fare increases will only worsen the hip pocket pain," Mr Emerson said.

"Labor is making public transport users pay for its record $85 billion debt and the $100 million a week interest bill to service the debt.  This is the third increase in three years.

Mr Emerson said zone 1 single paper tickets would increase from $3.90 to $4.50, while adult go card zone 1 fares would jump 40 cents to $3.05, and the off peak zone 1 charge goes up from $2.26 to $2.44.

"What's worse, pensioners and concession holders won't escape the financial hurt with single paper tickets going up 30 cents, zone 1 go cards up 23 cents, and off peak go card travel now $1.22.

"The State Government's own Translink Tracker has shown patronage dropped by more than two million compared to the same time last year.  Today's price hikes could see commuter numbers plummet further.

"After the 2009 state election, Labor announced its plan to double the cost of fares and promised services would improve.  For commuters forced to stand for the most part of their journey from Nambour to Brisbane, it was another cynical Labor hollow promise.

"It's no wonder complaints increasing, according to the State Government's own figures.

"The Bligh government's cost of living increases are only going to get worse - with another two increases of 15 percent planned for the next two years. These cost of living increases are on top of Labor's electricity and water bills that have skyrocketed 60-70% in since 2006.

"An LNP government will give real cost of living relief to commuters by delivering free go card trips after nine weekly journeys - a welcome return to a genuine weekly ticket discount.

"It's time for change.  It's time to get Queensland back on track," said Mr Emerson.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

2nd January 2013

The other side of the fence ... fare fail

Greetings,

It is little wonder that the good citizens of Queensland and Australia are increasingly disillusioned with Governments and their spin machines?

A bit of history ...

http://lnp.org.au/news/transport/labors-fare-hike-hits-commuters

2nd January 2012

   

Labor's fare hike hits commuters
    Written by  Scott Emerson

    South-East Queensland commuters' New Year celebrations were dampened today as the Bligh government hiked public transport fares by 15 per cent to be among the most expensive worldwide.

    Shadow Minister for Transport Scott Emerson said commuters preparing to return to work tomorrow will face massive hikes in train, bus and ferry fares.

    "Brisbane is now the third most expensive city in the world for public transport. Only London and Oslo is dearer," Mr Emerson said.

    "No wonder people are turning away from public transport – with trips on buses and ferries plummeting by 700,000 from July to November last year.

    "Mismanagement, waste and blunders by this tired, inept 20 year Labor government are driving passengers away from public transport, and today's fare increases will only worsen the hip pocket pain," Mr Emerson said.

    "Labor is making public transport users pay for its record $85 billion debt and the $100 million a week interest bill to service the debt.  This is the third increase in three years.

    Mr Emerson said zone 1 single paper tickets would increase from $3.90 to $4.50, while adult go card zone 1 fares would jump 40 cents to $3.05, and the off peak zone 1 charge goes up from $2.26 to $2.44.

    "What's worse, pensioners and concession holders won't escape the financial hurt with single paper tickets going up 30 cents, zone 1 go cards up 23 cents, and off peak go card travel now $1.22.

    "The State Government's own Translink Tracker has shown patronage dropped by more than two million compared to the same time last year.  Today's price hikes could see commuter numbers plummet further.

    "After the 2009 state election, Labor announced its plan to double the cost of fares and promised services would improve.  For commuters forced to stand for the most part of their journey from Nambour to Brisbane, it was another cynical Labor hollow promise.

    "It's no wonder complaints increasing, according to the State Government's own figures.

    "The Bligh government's cost of living increases are only going to get worse - with another two increases of 15 percent planned for the next two years. These cost of living increases are on top of Labor's electricity and water bills that have skyrocketed 60-70% in since 2006.

    "An LNP government will give real cost of living relief to commuters by delivering free go card trips after nine weekly journeys - a welcome return to a genuine weekly ticket discount.

    "It's time for change.  It's time to get Queensland back on track," said Mr Emerson.

Nothing has really changed.  Commuters TransLink SEQ have fare increases on 7 Jan 2013 of 7.5% , which does nothing to improve affordability.  To quote Mr Emerson from 2012 " fare increases will only worsen the hip pocket pain ..."

To claim that because the fare increase is only 7.5% and not 15% as originally planned in the failed 5 year fare strategy, which is now seriously compromised of course, is improving affordability is simply spin and nonsense.

An urgent fare review is needed to save our failing fare strategy.

Petition -->  http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Transition Town Kenmore --> Public transport fare increases in South East Queensland have been a complete failure

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Qconnect fares increased yesterday by 3.97% ... http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Qconnect/Urban-bus-services.aspx ... @TMRQld @TransLinkSEQ web not yet updated --> @SteveMinnikinMP

[#Metro]

Transition Town Kenmore --> Public transport fare increases in South East Queensland have been a complete failure

There is no logic as to why you would link fares to CPI. It is purely arbitrary number derived from an averaging process of completely unrelated goods. I would suggest those calling for CPI accept a network with only CPI service increases (i.e. no real increase in service).

Income growth is a better measure as a capacity to pay and thus affordability.

[#Metro]

All in all a poorly grounded fare strategy.  Now seriously compromised of course because of the free travel after x journeys, fare increase of 7.5% not 15%,  obviously not part of the original fare path strategy.

It's quite obvious that TransLink is not on the fare path, and it is off the path in the garden somewhere- the fact that paper tickets are still around is a sign IMHO that they're not letting the paper ticketing go because of all the $$$ it brings in to pay for the illusion that is the frequent user discount (FUD) which is a 'steal from the left hand to pay the right hand' and other things that were never ever intended to be part of the journey.

[#Metro]

Here's a table of go card fares 2013 vs 2008.

So what's the explanation/interpretation/significance here? It's just not clear to me what it is about or point it is meant to illustrate - all I see is a table of numbers.

[ozbob]

Income growth is a better measure as a capacity to pay and thus affordability.

Yes, TT as posted above .. When you think about it in 3 year period Jan 2010 - Jan 2013 fares jumped actual 70% go, 100% paper.  It is little wonder that there has been pax resistance  ...

Average earnings increased around 6% period Feb 2010 - May 2012 (lastest published data) Table 12c http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6302.0May%202012?OpenDocument

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ongoing fare increases leave commuters irate

==============

A letter to editor Queensland Times 2nd January 2012 page 9

LNP's fares soar for worse service

[ozbob]

All in all a poorly grounded fare strategy.  Now seriously compromised of course because of the free travel after x journeys, fare increase of 7.5% not 15%,  obviously not part of the original fare path strategy.

It's quite obvious that TransLink is not on the fare path, and it is off the path in the garden somewhere- the fact that paper tickets are still around is a sign IMHO that they're not letting the paper ticketing go because of all the $$$ it brings in to pay for the illusion that is the frequent user discount (FUD) which is a 'steal from the left hand to pay the right hand' and other things that were never ever intended to be part of the journey.

[somebody]

Here's a table of go card fares 2013 vs 2008.

So what's the explanation/interpretation/significance here? It's just not clear to me what it is about or point it is meant to illustrate - all I see is a table of numbers.

I thought it was an interesting comparison.

[O_128]

Well I recently got a car so its now cheaper for me to use it than public transport 

[#Metro]

I doubt that it is cheaper, but it might be better value for money when time savings, convenience are taken into account..

[Stillwater]

A cracker of a letter to the QT.

[Mozz]

In the words of Dr Cooper... Bazinga!!

[Set in train]

http://www.qt.com.au/news/ongoing-fare-increases-leave-commuters-irate/1702933/

kateriggall from Annerley 2 hours ago with 1 reply Report post

It seems more and more people are frustrated with our broken system. There is a petition going to try to get something done - so far we have nearly one hundred signatures, but we need a lot more. SIgn here: http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/tell-the-premier-to-fix-translink

When are the online 'clicktivists' ever going to learn that if you wish to petition a state government, use a state government petition; likewise for federal and council.

[ozbob]

I don't think it is necessary to use a parliamentary petition at all.  You need to get a MP to support it, and both the ALP and LNP have poor form in the fare path game.  And I don't want to align politically with any of them, or the others. Therefore, I chose to use an external online petition site for our Fare Review petition --> http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

[Fares_Fair]

There have been no less than 6 State Government e-Petitions calling for the Government to do something about the North Coast Line rail duplication.
3 were sponsored by the local LNP member for Glass House, and now Environment & Heritage Protection Minister, the Hon Andrew Powell.

All essentially have been ignored by the Government with replies merely reiterating the former and now current deadlines for the works, with no definitive timescale.

If the Government ignores it's own members petitions (made whilst in opposition), what hope is there?
Having said that, & to quote Sir Winston Churchill:  "Never, never, never, never give up"

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 3rd January 2013 page 8

Anger rises with fares

[Stillwater]

Mr Powell must slink around his electorate, hiding in the shadows, trying to avoid all those people who believed him, and voted for him, when he said the SCL duplication was his top priority.  His public position now is that the LNP will 'try' and meet the Bligh Government's 2031 deadline for duplication to Nambour, while simultaneously claiming that the duplication is his 'top priority'.

Mr Powell thinks he can be re-elected at the 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024, 2027 and 2030 state elections while maintaining this stance.  It was Joh Bjelke-Petersen who said politicians should not straddle a barbed wire fence, politically speaking.  Mr Powell's testes dangle precariously above the barbs.  Or is it the case that he lacks balls, politically speaking?

The Coast has six ministers in the Newman Government, all vocal about the SCL in the lead-up to the election, but now mute.  Or neutred.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Why does it refer to rail fares? Its the whole fare system going up.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th January 2013

Fare meltdown in SEQ

Greetings,

A further fare comparison  http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/2013-australian-fare-comparison.html

There is little doubt that that latest round of fare increases on the TransLink SEQ network, 7.5% from 7 January 2013 is a 'bridge too far .. '
Much public disquiet .

In effect the public has endured real increases of 70% in around 3 years, during which time average weekly earnings have only increased 6%.
http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/6302.0May%202012?OpenDocument table 12c

The 5 year fare strategy is in tatters. Patronage is sliding, and the main aim of lifting the fare box to 30% has failed dismally. The fare box is going backwards, towards 20% not 30%. The 5 year fare strategy is now seriously compromised.  The introduction of "free' travel after 10 journeys, January 2012, then after 9 journeys in June 2012, together with the huge increases has rendered it obsolete.  There is an urgent need to put the fares back on a sound path for future patronage growth and to turn around the fare box slide.

An examination of Q Connect (Queensland country urban buses) fares  [ http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Qconnect/Urban-bus-services/2013-qconnect-bus-fare-change.aspx ]  reveals fare tables that are much better balanced, with options that encourage folk to use public transport.  One wonders what the future is for Q Connect fares, if TransLink attempts to apply the same failed fare strategy to those fares.

The LNP Government is claiming that it would like to address affordability but due to the financial circumstances cannot.  What a stupid false argument, by actually setting an improved fare table for SEQ TransLink, patronage will increase, public transport utilisation around the clock is improved and overall a much better fare box is generated. Additionally broader economic benefits then flow to the economy - a reduction in congestion costs, road trauma costs to the health sector are reduced, active transport an important part of public transport means better community health, environmental impacts are lessened.

The evidence is stark, time to get on with it.

To claim that because the fare increase is only 7.5% and not 15% as originally planned in the failed 5 year fare strategy, which is now seriously compromised of course, is improving affordability is simply spin and nonsense.

An urgent fare review is needed to save our failing fare strategy.

Petition -->  http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Set in train]

I don't think it is necessary to use a parliamentary petition at all.  You need to get a MP to support it, and both the ALP and LNP have poor form in the fare path game.  And I don't want to align politically with any of them, or the others. Therefore, I chose to use an external online petition site for our Fare Review petition --> http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/fare-review-for-translink-south-east-queensland-now.html

It depends on what you wish to achieve with a petition. I see the parliamentary petitions as being official, in hansard for history; the online petitions great for high numbers due to their extra features. What is the purpose sought? If you want an official response, debate and coverage later, then hansard; if you want immediate coverage, then online.

I've not heard of any MP refusing a resonable petition, even for matters they disagree with (eg. daylight saving). It'll be lodged with the parliament but they won't specifically speak in support of it. I have read of petitions lodged by the Clerk of the Parliament to avoid political alignment perceptions.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Fares up as transport costs run rampant

Fares up as transport costs run rampant

    by: Kelmeny Fraser
    From: The Courier-Mail
    January 05, 2013 12:00AM

COMMUTERS will pay up to $560 more for public transport under planned fare increases over the next two years.

While the LNP has halved a scheduled 15 per cent fare hike from Monday, an analysis by The Courier-Mail has found the hit to hip-pockets will still amount to hundreds of dollars over the next two years as the price of taking the bus or train soars by three times the inflation rate.

Despite the hefty fare increases, Queensland taxpayers are still paying to prop up public transport. For every $2 paid by commuters, taxpayers kick in another $6.60 to keep the services running.

At the same time, patronage has been falling over the past four years.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson conceded fares were too high but rejected calls for a new fare review.

Over the next two years, commuters who live closest to the CBD will pay $120 to $150 to travel across one or two "zones".

Weekday commuters travelling from Ipswich or Beenleigh to the CBD will pay an extra $290 for their fares.

The hikes of 7.5 per cent a year for two years will raise the annual cost of fares to $3300 by 2014 for a commuter from Beenleigh or Ipswich.

Commuting from Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast or Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast will cost an extra $560 over the next two years.

The increase will take the annual cost of using public transport for a commuter who gets on at Varsity Lakes from $5965 this year to $6415 in 2014.

Rail Back on Track lobby group head Robert Dow said feedback from commuters was that public transport was already too expensive.

"It is like a torturer saying instead of breaking both legs I am only going to break one," Mr Dow said of the reduced fare increase.

"We have one of the world's most expensive fare systems and it is little wonder the public is starting to say, 'Hold on, it is time for a fare review'."

A comparison of major cities around the world reveals the fare increase has done little to address Brisbane's standing as one of the most expensive public transport systems ahead of New York, Paris and Tokyo.

At the same time, taxpayers are pouring millions of dollars into subsidising public transport in the state's southeast, to the tune of $1.1 billion a year.

The subsidies saw commuters pay $2 for each public transport trip last financial year compared to the true cost of $8.60 a trip.

It came after just $360 million in revenue from fares flowed in during 2011-12, to pay public transport running costs of $1.53 billion.

The Bligh Government had proposed annual fare increases of 15 per cent in a bid to bridge the gap after years of tumbling patronage.

Passenger trips have dropped from 181.9 million trips in 2008-2009 to 181.8 million in 2009-2010; 178.6 million trips in 2010-2011 and 178.3 million trips last financial year.

In the new government, Mr Emerson is focusing on boosting revenue by luring more commuters with lower than scheduled fare rises.

The LNP is yet to announce a fare path for beyond ext year, but Mr Emerson conceded fares were "high".

"I would like to do more, but at the moment I can't because of the fiscal situation I inherited," he said.

"I can see us trying to drive it down, but I have to do that in what I can afford to do."

He rejected calls for a full fare review, saying the LNP had already reviewed fares before the election, opting to reduce planned fare hikes and introduce its "nine-and-free" public transport initiative at a combined cost of $200 million.

The initiative, which allows commuters to travel free for the rest of the week once they have made nine trips, has cost $12.5 million in its first six months.

------------

PRICE HIKES DRIVE COMMUTERS INTO CARS

FAMILIES are set to be the hardest hit by the latest public transport fare hikes with some already spending thousands of dollars a year to commute.

With a 7.5 per cent increase in fares to be implemented on Monday, some families, such as the Aaskows, are reconsidering their options when it comes to public transport.

Susan Aaskow said while she only used public transport a couple times a month, her husband and two daughters used it daily, racking up more than $3000 in fares a year.

For the Seventeen Mile Rocks family, this coming price hike is only going to make things harder.

"The rest of my family catch trains twice a day, nearly every day," she said.

"I would say in one year we would spend around $3000. For my husband alone, it's around $8.60 a day and if it's going up, he'll change it."

Mrs Aaskow's husband Dale works in the city and has chosen to catch the train for the past three years.

While he has his own carpark, Mrs Aaskow said petrol was always more expensive than using the trains, but now it's a different story.

While Mr Aaskow has an alternative, their daughters Hayley, 15, and Amanda, 19, are stuck with the rising fares.

"Amanda has to go to UQ for uni and Hayley has to go to TAFE this year as well as school, so she'll be catching even more public transport," Mrs Aaskow said.

"I couldn't drive her every day. It would be impossible for me with my work.

"Obviously, we would prefer public transport than being stuck in peak hour traffic, but if the tickets are this ridiculously priced, we're just not going to do it."

University students have also been hard hit by the news, with 21-year-old Ashley Keys spending around $1000 a year on public transport.

The Ashgrove resident has to travel to work and university in the city, as well as work experience at Toowong and believes she spends around $20 a week to get from place to place.

"As a student it's a bit difficult," she said.

"Obviously, I am not very happy with these new fares."

- Rikki-Lee Arnold

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

5th January 2013

Re: Fare meltdown in SEQ

Greetings,

According to a report in the Couriermail today, Fares up as transport costs run rampant http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/fares-up-as-transport-costs-run-off-the-rails/story-fn6ck45n-1226547864563

" ... Transport Minister Scott Emerson conceded fares were too high but rejected calls for a new fare review. .."

You have it completely wrong Minister.  The failing fare strategy is wasting money, the fare box subsidy is falling, not improving.  Patronage is on the slide.

We call on the Premier of Queensland and Treasurer to intervene and direct that TransLink conducts a proper fare review, and set the fares on a path that makes fares affordable, maximises public transport use around the clock, and addresses the social inequity of the present failure of the fare strategy, and stops the financial waste and actually improves the fare box and reduces the subsidy.

Being one of the worlds most expensive fare jurisdictions, for a generally poor network, particularly middle to outer suburbia is a major embarrassment and a major policy failure.

Fix it please Premier.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Couriermail Editorial 5th January 2013

All stakeholders must get on board to ensure public transport solutions

[ozbob]

What a ludicrous position by the Minister. Even the Couriermail can see the need for a review ...

Time the Premier acted ...

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor Queensland Times 4th January 2013 page 9

Downhill slide

[ozbob]

The only person who cannot see that a review is the way forward is the Minister.

Probably can't find the courage to admit they have blown it ...

Sent to all outlets:

5th January 2013

Re: Fare meltdown in SEQ

Greetings,

According to a report in the Couriermail today, Fares up as transport costs run rampant http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/fares-up-as-transport-costs-run-off-the-rails/story-fn6ck45n-1226547864563

" ... Transport Minister Scott Emerson conceded fares were too high but rejected calls for a new fare review. .."

You have it completely wrong Minister.  The failing fare strategy is wasting money, the fare box subsidy is falling, not improving.  Patronage is on the slide.

We call on the Premier of Queensland and Treasurer to intervene and direct that TransLink conducts a proper fare review, and set the fares on a path that makes fares affordable, maximises public transport use around the clock, and addresses the social inequity of the present failure of the fare strategy, and stops the financial waste and actually improves the fare box and reduces the subsidy.

Being one of the worlds most expensive fare jurisdictions, for a generally poor network, particularly middle to outer suburbia is a major embarrassment and a major policy failure.

Fix it please Premier.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Interesting editorial ...

Couriermail Editorial 5th January 2013

All stakeholders must get on board to ensure public transport solutions

[ozbob]

Sure to be a fun day, Monday .... 

From the Couriermail click here!

Fares up as transport costs run rampant

Fares up as transport costs run rampant

    by: Kelmeny Fraser
    From: The Courier-Mail
    January 05, 2013 12:00AM

COMMUTERS will pay up to $560 more for public transport under planned fare increases over the next two years.

While the LNP has halved a scheduled 15 per cent fare hike from Monday, an analysis by The Courier-Mail has found the hit to hip-pockets will still amount to hundreds of dollars over the next two years as the price of taking the bus or train soars by three times the inflation rate.

Despite the hefty fare increases, Queensland taxpayers are still paying to prop up public transport. For every $2 paid by commuters, taxpayers kick in another $6.60 to keep the services running.

At the same time, patronage has been falling over the past four years.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson conceded fares were too high but rejected calls for a new fare review.

Over the next two years, commuters who live closest to the CBD will pay $120 to $150 to travel across one or two "zones".

Weekday commuters travelling from Ipswich or Beenleigh to the CBD will pay an extra $290 for their fares.

The hikes of 7.5 per cent a year for two years will raise the annual cost of fares to $3300 by 2014 for a commuter from Beenleigh or Ipswich.

Commuting from Palmwoods on the Sunshine Coast or Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast will cost an extra $560 over the next two years.

The increase will take the annual cost of using public transport for a commuter who gets on at Varsity Lakes from $5965 this year to $6415 in 2014.

Rail Back on Track lobby group head Robert Dow said feedback from commuters was that public transport was already too expensive.

"It is like a torturer saying instead of breaking both legs I am only going to break one," Mr Dow said of the reduced fare increase.

"We have one of the world's most expensive fare systems and it is little wonder the public is starting to say, 'Hold on, it is time for a fare review'."

A comparison of major cities around the world reveals the fare increase has done little to address Brisbane's standing as one of the most expensive public transport systems ahead of New York, Paris and Tokyo.

At the same time, taxpayers are pouring millions of dollars into subsidising public transport in the state's southeast, to the tune of $1.1 billion a year.

The subsidies saw commuters pay $2 for each public transport trip last financial year compared to the true cost of $8.60 a trip.

It came after just $360 million in revenue from fares flowed in during 2011-12, to pay public transport running costs of $1.53 billion.

The Bligh Government had proposed annual fare increases of 15 per cent in a bid to bridge the gap after years of tumbling patronage.

Passenger trips have dropped from 181.9 million trips in 2008-2009 to 181.8 million in 2009-2010; 178.6 million trips in 2010-2011 and 178.3 million trips last financial year.

In the new government, Mr Emerson is focusing on boosting revenue by luring more commuters with lower than scheduled fare rises.

The LNP is yet to announce a fare path for beyond ext year, but Mr Emerson conceded fares were "high".

"I would like to do more, but at the moment I can't because of the fiscal situation I inherited," he said.

"I can see us trying to drive it down, but I have to do that in what I can afford to do."

He rejected calls for a full fare review, saying the LNP had already reviewed fares before the election, opting to reduce planned fare hikes and introduce its "nine-and-free" public transport initiative at a combined cost of $200 million.

The initiative, which allows commuters to travel free for the rest of the week once they have made nine trips, has cost $12.5 million in its first six months.

------------

PRICE HIKES DRIVE COMMUTERS INTO CARS

FAMILIES are set to be the hardest hit by the latest public transport fare hikes with some already spending thousands of dollars a year to commute.

With a 7.5 per cent increase in fares to be implemented on Monday, some families, such as the Aaskows, are reconsidering their options when it comes to public transport.

Susan Aaskow said while she only used public transport a couple times a month, her husband and two daughters used it daily, racking up more than $3000 in fares a year.

For the Seventeen Mile Rocks family, this coming price hike is only going to make things harder.

"The rest of my family catch trains twice a day, nearly every day," she said.

"I would say in one year we would spend around $3000. For my husband alone, it's around $8.60 a day and if it's going up, he'll change it."

Mrs Aaskow's husband Dale works in the city and has chosen to catch the train for the past three years.

While he has his own carpark, Mrs Aaskow said petrol was always more expensive than using the trains, but now it's a different story.

While Mr Aaskow has an alternative, their daughters Hayley, 15, and Amanda, 19, are stuck with the rising fares.

"Amanda has to go to UQ for uni and Hayley has to go to TAFE this year as well as school, so she'll be catching even more public transport," Mrs Aaskow said.

"I couldn't drive her every day. It would be impossible for me with my work.

"Obviously, we would prefer public transport than being stuck in peak hour traffic, but if the tickets are this ridiculously priced, we're just not going to do it."

University students have also been hard hit by the news, with 21-year-old Ashley Keys spending around $1000 a year on public transport.

The Ashgrove resident has to travel to work and university in the city, as well as work experience at Toowong and believes she spends around $20 a week to get from place to place.

"As a student it's a bit difficult," she said.

"Obviously, I am not very happy with these new fares."

- Rikki-Lee Arnold

[somebody]

What I don't get, ~180m trips annually, revenue of $360m, thats roughly $2/trip/passenger. Who's paying less than $2/trip?

a) Concessions
b) Transfers

[#Metro]

I think we should start discussing what the scope of a fare review should be. Some suggestions:

1. All door boarding on buses, removal of paper ticketing completely a la Melbourne
2. Fares to increase more steeply as one travels further than they do now - keeps shorter trips affordable relative to car
3. Identify the drivers of higher costs which are likely to be (a) politics and freebies - examples include Maroon CityGliders, and other network duplications, 9-then free etc, (b) Urban form - lots of fringe development at densities where community service obligation (CSO) is only possible, although I think density needs to be treated carefully - the minmum threshold definition for 'urbanised area' is different in Australia to other cities and Brisbane also has a very very high level of bushland within the urbanised area as well so density figures need to be treated with huge caution, (c) Network waste and duplication, (d) not developed frequent network; I'm sure there are others.

The Courier-Mail editorial is interesting, but further privatisation is unlikely to achieve any cost reduction. This is simply because most bus operators are private anyway; The exception here is Brisbane Transport which could be cut off from BCC and Queensland Rail, but one would have to see exactly where these savings were going to come from - Perth has public rail and charges less than we do, and has 2x the frequency... As for private sector building infrastructure, again it needs to be explained why any private investor would want to invest in a loss making operation... There has been a lot of money spent on infrastructure, but nowhere near as much spent on service - the result is of course high concrete, high fares, low frequency...

4. A much higher differential between peak and off peak fares. I would explore a 50% drop - this could be achieved incrementally by only applying future fare rises to peak hour only while freezing off peak fares. An interesting side-effect would be that concession fares and off-peak fares would converge - it may not make sense anymore to charge concession fares, you might just charge off peak...

5.Some kind of group ticketing. This is possible on smartcard systems, I have seen YouTube videos of it...

[ozbob]

The important thing is to initiate a review.  The failed 5 year fare strategy is in tatters ..

There is intense media interest in this round of fare increases.  I have spoken will most major outlets over the past 24 hours, and I expect considerable coverage next week.

I understand a lot of MPs in SEQ are getting considerable constituent feedback as well.

I was just up at Redbank Shopping Centre.  A lady approached me and said " Are you Robert? "  To which I responded yes, and then followed a discussion on the fares etc.  She made a very strong point that local people are struggling to use the bus etc. particularly with a few children, because of the cost. She thanked us all for continuing to push for better outcomes ...

[#Metro]

Theory
Streeting & Charles: Developments in transit fare policy reform
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:7732&dsID=n128.pdf

Pages 11 and 12 are particularly useful.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

SEQ goes over the 'fare fiscal cliff' on Monday --> http://twitpic.com/bqkm0h  #qldpol #auspol #overyougo

[Mr X]

From 2014 (when my concession expires and PT goes up another 15%) it just won't be feasible to take the bus when fuel + parking will come out cheaper, unless i am going somewhere like the CBD where parking costs a fortune. Where would the incentive be to take PT to the coast if it takes double the time to get to my destination and costs just as much as a car would, if not more??

These fare rises are bonkers. I really hope they don't continue into 2015 and beyond, but i imagine they would. They really need to look at this fare structure and commit to making improvements.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/2013-world-fare-comparison-conclusion.html
2013 World Fare Comparison - Conclusion and Recommendations

[ozbob]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/2013-world-fare-comparison-conclusion.html
2013 World Fare Comparison - Conclusion and Recommendations

Well done, thank you.